Photo : YONHAP News
President Lee Jae Myung vowed Sunday to do his utmost to build a government that protects the lives of the people as the nation marked the 2,570th anniversary of Buddha’s Birthday.
Speaking at a celebration at Jogye Temple in central Seoul, Lee said his government would take the Buddha’s teachings as its guiding light and work to care more closely for every citizen, especially those in the most vulnerable parts of society.
Lee said Buddhist teachings have long shared both the joys and hardships of the Korean people, helping heal pain and embrace marginalized neighbors whenever the nation faced crises and sorrow.
He added that the Buddha’s emphasis on understanding and harmony rather than exclusion and conflict has served as a strong foundation for building a more united society.
Quoting the teaching that hatred does not disappear through hatred but only through compassion, Lee said South Korea urgently needs a spirit of consideration, understanding, coexistence and mutual prosperity amid deep social division.
Lee also pledged to overcome national challenges through unity, saying the spirit of integration and harmony can help reconcile differing views and bring the country together.